bility they will ask to read it often through the course of the year. This should be encouraged by the teacher. Many of the pupils will doubtless be able to read much of the poem without the text before them. If this is called "reading" instead of "reciting," it will be more likely to be a rich interpretation instead of a mechanical rendition. Volunteer reading: The Island of the Mighty, Colum; Kak, Stefansson and Irwin; Little Princess Nina, Charskaya. A STORY OF CHRISTMAS A CHRISTMAS CAROL (page 149) Before assigning this selection for silent reading it would be well to call the pupils' attention especially to the message of the "Carol" and also to its construction. For a full explanation of these see the paragraph on page 235. A further discussion of the real significance of the Christmas spirit, sometimes overlooked in the busy holiday season, may also precede the reading. The pupils will find it interesting to trace the resemblance between the message of the "Carol" and that of "Yussouf" and "The Bugle Song." Whatever is done in the way of keeping a record of the reading rate and of checking the pupils' comprehension of the story, the teacher will do well properly to subordinate all these to the main objective which is, of course, to appreciate the beauty of Dickens's story. A dramatization of the "Carol" as suggested on page 235 is a pleasant means of stimulating interest and admiration. To facilitate finding the reading rate, the number of words for each stave has been recorded in the outline below. The total number of words in the Carol is 28,499. The material on pages 231-235 will be found useful in checking the comprehension of the story. The outline below is an illustration of the type of outline suggested on page 234 from which the story may be told. If the teacher plans to have the pupils make an original outline similar to this one, she will do well to divide the class into five groups, each group to make an outline for only one of the staves. Making an outline offers valuable training, but the experienced teacher will realize that it is a rather difficult task for immature minds and will accordingly offer helpful suggestions such as giving the subtitles, and allowing the pupils to fill in the details. The outline assignment should be omitted if in the teacher's opinion it tends to lessen the pupils' liking for the story, though there are teachers who will find both profit and pleasure in such a piece of work. I. Marley's Ghost STAVE ONE (6464 words) A. Marley's relation to Scrooge B. Scrooge's character 1. Hard and sharp as flint 2. His appearance, caused by cold within him (a) Nose, cheek, gait, eyes, lips, voice 3. Scrooge and the weather (a) Effect of heat and cold on him C. Chrstmas Eve at the countinghouse 2. The clerk's room D. A visit from Scrooge's nephew 1. The contrast between Scrooge and his nephew 2. The nephew's invitation 3. His greeting to the clerk E. Scrooge's reception of the solicitors G. His attitude toward the clerk H. The way Scrooge spent the evening 1. Marley's face in the knocker 2. Effect on Scrooge J. The disused bell K. Effect of clanking chains on Scrooge L. Entrance of the Ghost 1. Its appearance 2. Conversation with Scrooge (a) Explanation of the chains M. The warning 1. The three spirits 2. Announcement of their arrival N. Departure of Marley's ghost STAVE TWO (6138 words) II. The First of the Three Spirits A. The time 1. The passing of a day and a night 2. Scrooge waiting for one o'clock to come B. The approach of the Spirit 1. The light 2. The curtains C. Description of the Spirit 1. Figure, hair, skin, arms, legs 2. Tunic, holly, belt, flowers, jet of light, cap 3. Effect of the sparkling belt D. Identity of the Spirit (Ghost of Christmas Past) 1. His mission 2. The Spirit's power to transport Scrooge, hand on heart E. The five scenes visited 1. Scrooge's old home (a) The solitary child in the schoolroom (c) Scrooge reminded of the carol singer 2. Scrooge at school (a) Visit of his sister Fan (b) The schoolmaster's hospitality (c) Scrooge reminded of his nephew 3. The home of Fezziwig (a) Preparations for Christmas Eve (b) The party, dancing, games, refreshments (c) Dance of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (d) The apprentices' praise of the Fezziwigs (e) Scrooge reminded of his clerk 4. The home of the fair young girl, Scrooge's sweetheart (a) Their contract (b) His change (c) His release 5. Her home after her marriage (a) The joys that might have been Scrooge's F. The struggle between Scrooge and the Spirit STAVE THREE (8223 words) III. The Second of the Three Spirits A. One o'clock B. Scrooge's own room, the Giant with the torch C. Identity of the Giant (Ghost of Christmas Present) E. The Spirit conducting Scrooge by Scrooge's touching the robe 1. Description of shops with their rich contents, seen in passing, the poulterers', the fruiterers', the grocers', the bakers' 2. The Spirit's torch (a) Its flavor (b) Its effect 3. The Spirit's power of invisibility F. Blessing of Bob Cratchit's dwelling with sprinklings of the torch 1. The members of the family 2. Tiny Tim 3. The dinner, the goose, the pudding 4. The toast to Christmas 5. The toast to Scrooge G. Blessings on other friendly gatherings H. The desert moor 1. The miner's hut (a) The family all decked out in holiday attire I. The solitary lighthouse 1. The keepers joining hands and wishing each other Merry Christmas L. Visiting many homes and always with happy end 1. Scrooge reminded of his previous remarks (This incident will give the boys and girls a clear impression of Dickens's great work as a social reformer-correcting evils of prisons, workhouses, orphanages, and even schools by bringing these evils to the attention of the English people through his books. See Biography, pages 231-232.) STAVE FOUR (5365 words) IV. The Last of the Spirits A. Description of the Phantom 1. Its appearance 2. Identity of the Spirit (Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come) 3. Effect of its presence 4. Significance of its shadowy form 5. Means of communication B. The Spirit's power to transport Scrooge, shadow of its dress 1. 'Change (a) Conversation regarding a funeral (b) Apparently trivial conversation of two persons (c) Scrooge's curiosity (d) His accustomed corner 2. Shop in obscure part of town (a) Description of the shop (b) The gray-haired rascal, Joe (c) Two women and a man, and their bundles (d) Effect on Scrooge 3. The room where the dead body lay (a) Scrooge's lack of power to lift the veil (b) Thoughts on death (c) The lesson 4. The home, feeling emotion caused by this man's death (a) Mother and children (b) News brought by father (c) Emotion of pleasure 5. Bob Cratchit's house (a) The quiet (b) The family (c) The return of the father (d) Tiny Tim's influence on the family |